In March 2020, the "Food for All" Cooperative group embarked on a mission to address food security in their community. They predominantly deal in grains and dried fish. Their business got a boost with an interest-free loan of SSP 8,000,000 from UNDP and the African Development Bank. Initially focusing on supplying grains in Juba, the group quickly expanded its operations to Yei and Lainya, responding to growing demand and driven by its commitment to making food accessible to all.

Starting with only 20 members, the group has now expanded to a strong network of 60 dedicated individuals. “Collectively, we earn SSP 1.2 million per month, which has enabled us to repay SSP 6,000,000 of the initial loan, and we intend to complete it soon,” says Chairman John Sallah. Financial growth has enabled members to provide better support for their families, significantly improving their quality of life.

Led by Chairman Sallah Joseph and Vice-Chairlady Rose Taabu, the group has overcome numerous initial challenges, including limited capital, competition with wholesalers in the markets, and inability to pay rent. However, with support from UNDP and the African Development Bank, along with entrepreneurship training from SPDEP, they have developed resilience, expertise, and a sustainable model that has had a profound impact not only on their members bit also on their community. The group’s operations has created valuable employment opportunities, hiring 13 youth as casual laborers across their three locations. Moreover, inspired by their positive experience with M-Gurush used as a financial intermediary of the projects’ financial transfers, they have now expanded into mobile money transfer business, opening a shop that employs two more youth.

The group enhanced the packaging of their products in readiness to participate in the East African Community (EAC) exhibition in Juba. This provided them with a platform to showcase their products, attract new customers, and explore even broader regional opportunities and potential linkages. The Trade fair is dynamic platform brings together MSEs from across the region, including Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, to showcase their products and innovations.